While the
"multi-touch" iPhone screen might lay claim to a nice collection of patents, XM is putting a whole new spin on the term with its "multi-finger" patent for satellite radio operation. The patent, which was filed in June '05 and published this last December, describes "context sensitive data input using finger or fingerprint recognition." Basically, instead of having to look at the device and punch the correct part of the screen with your finger, the screen can tell which finger you're tapping it with, and perform an operation based on whatever finger you're using. As illustrated above -- we use the term "illustrated" loosely here, it looks like the picture was drawn by a blind man using his feet -- the thumb could automatically mute the device, while other fingers coud be set to preset channels or to menu shortcuts. We're not super clear on the actual method of finger recognition, or if there is one as of yet, but the system will supposedly be able to work with multiple users, each with unique fingerprints and particular shortcut setups. Naturally, no word on when this might hit devices.
posted March 26th 2007 1:02PM
I would consider this more awkward than pressing a button,but there is the opportunity to shrink interface sizes I suppose.
Besides,you would have to memorise what each finger and thumb does and,lets face it,there's a whole 10 of them.
quote: "there's a whole 10 of them."
Guess you'll NEED all ten of them (poor guy who's missing some fingers)
ok, this might not be the best place to ask this but I'll give it a go. I'm an inventor of sorts but i know nothing about patents. Can you just patent any idea? Even without a prototype?
This is NOT a good place to post this kind of question, as you're more likely to get incorrect answers or ranting about our "broken patent system" from people who think they know what they are talking about than you are to get sound guidance. Most readers here don't know (or care about) the significant difference between a patent and a patent application, or the difference between a patent disclosure and patent claims. I recommend you contact a patent attorney to answer your questions.
Inventors go here:
www.inventored.org
www.inventnet.org
You are better off there than here.
appreciate the advice. Only problem is I'm 21 and attorneys cost money :S
first of all, is it only me, or does "fig. 6" make absolutely no sense? 7, 14, & 16? I did not realize those were commonly used numbers.
secondly, sucks if you lost a finger, or have a bandaid on.
only in the usa could a company patent finger input. why don't they just get a good lawyer to patent the human body and we'll all pay a royality each year of our lives.
the patent war has just gone crazy on digital devices.
"Look mommy I drew a turkey!"
"Wow...that looks wonderful Johnny."
I'm pretty sure those aren't hands at all, but rather monkey feet. Interesting indeed... who the hell drew those?
@TAJ Figure 6 represents shortcuts/presets, in this case 7,14, and 46 are preset channels. I was confused at 1st too, but after reading the PDF it is a little more clear. Looks cool, but I could only imagine how horrible this could be considering how many idiots there are in this world.
True, they do cost money. But many would be willing to answer your preliminary questions gratis.
So, if i'm looking at this correctly, one hand does 0-9, and also 7, 14, and 46? Why? WTF? And shouldn't that be 42, not 46? And wouldn't it make more sense to have the pinkey be 1 on the left hand instead of the thumb on the right hand? US keyboarders arent used to hitting the 1 key with our Thumbs.
Uh...why didn't they just TRACE THEIR OWN HAND!?
I bet he did, that's why it looks so disfigured. Only someone with hands that look just like that drawing could draw so poorly.
I imagine the 7,14, 46 are there to show that those fingers could be set for user presets or 'soft keys (soft fingers?)'.
this is actually a pretty good idea, if they can implement it cleanly enough. (point is play, pointer is pause, and other two are channel up/down.)
add in "dragging" and other mouse motions and you might just have a practical "sightless" interface.
I heard they traced Hugh Panero's hands for this patent submission. Word is that this was the deciding factor in chosing Mel Karmazin as the new CEO.
Again, please note that this is merely a pre-grant publication of a patent application. No patent has been granted. Accordingly, XM has not yet "patented" this.
Again, please note that this is merely a pre-grant publication of a patent application. No patent has been granted. Accordingly, XM has not yet "patented" this.
I can see how this would be safer than the current preset buttons on a radio. I generally only listen to three channels anyway, so hitting the thing with the correct finger would seem to be just as useful (and safer) than using the preset buttons simply by needing to concentrate less. I already know that the first button is X station, and the second is Y - this would just eliminate the need to find the little things.
Alternately, I could see this as a way of using preset stations with a steering-mounted radio controller.
Would make a great simple to use universal remote, play, pause, stop, vol+ -, etc..
The middle finger is used to reboot the device after you get the blue screen of death.
um how the crap are you suposed to use your thumb to do everything? i dont wanna hold the device in using aqward fingers and tap it with my pinkey
wow. brilliant genius behind this one
I can imagine a lot of "Crap! Which finger?!" flailing would happen as a result of using such a device. Memorizing finger functions would be a pain in the neck.